State Budget Could Be Held Up Over Abortion Amendment

The debate over the state’s $5 billion budget hit a roadblock over an abortion amendment. At issue is a provision the was proposed to ban all abortion funding, including rape and incest. The proposal was narrowly defeat by a 57-54 vote Wednesday. But representative James Smith, who backs abortion funding, said some republicans threatened to vote against the entire budget unless the house opened the debate up again for a second vote. Overall, under the state-funded abortion provision currently on the books, 6 women qualified last year.